Assessment Of The Value Of The Small Scale Fish Farming Enterprises In Nyamira County, South West Kenya

Abstract

Fish farming is relatively recent compared to subsistence crop farming in Nyamira County. It is becoming significant due to its contribution to nutrition, self employment and income generation. A Cost Benefit Analysis was conducted from March-October 2016, to estimate its viability. Semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 320 farmers using simple random sampling technique. Focused group discussion schedules were administered to three groups of ten farmers to collect extra data. Further information was collected on data returns of harvests from farmers and from interview schedules of fifteen key informants. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 and Excel spreadsheet programme. Chi square (χ 2 ) was used to test if there were significant differences between profits obtained by farmers at p=0.05. Results indicated that the mean input cost per farmer ranged from Ksh 46.08±0.08-Ksh 50.34±58m-2 . A positive correlation between total feed costs and net income (R) ranged from 0.479-0.519. Cost Benefit Ratio indicated that Borabu had the highest (4.66) followed by Manga (1.51) and by Nyamira North (1.31). A similar trend was observed on Rate of Returns on Investment with Borabu having 3.64, Nyamira North 0.44 and Manga 0.75. New farmers obtained low net income due to costs incurred on construction of new ponds. Most commonly used feeds were vegetables, kitchen remains and Rastrineobola argentea. This study demonstrates that small scale aquaculture can be profitable when appropriate inputs are provided.